From Reluctant Swimmer to Australian Representative
Thomas Flook's relationship with swimming has undergone a remarkable transformation. The 23-year-old from Merewether admits he never enjoyed swim training as a child, with his parents insisting he continue until age twelve primarily for safety reasons since they lived near the beach and he wanted to surf.
Everything changed last year when the Australian Deaf Games came to Newcastle. With no dedicated training, the hearing-impaired athlete, who primarily played water polo, decided to compete in swimming events and surprised everyone by winning six medals – three bronze, two silver, and one gold.
The Path to International Competition
Flook, who was born with moderate to severe hearing loss, found his competitive spirit ignited by his unexpected success at the national championships in January last year. The medal haul encouraged him to join the Charlestown Swim Club, where he now trains for two hours every weekday afternoon.
His dedication has paid off spectacularly, qualifying him to represent Australia at the Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan this month. The Deaflympics are held every four years and are recognized by the International Olympic Committee, though they receive no government funding, meaning athletes must self-fund their participation.
"It's really exciting, and it feels great to represent Australia," Flook told the Newcastle Herald. "That's what I'm most proud of. I'm just focused on being part of that swimming team and doing the best I can to represent Australia."
Tokyo Dreams and Future Goals
Flook will compete in an impressive six events at the Deaflympics, which begin on November 19. His schedule includes:
- 50-metre, 100m and 200m breaststroke
- 400m freestyle
- 200m Individual Medley
- 4 x 100m medley relay
As a first-year horticulture apprentice, Flook balances his training with his career aspirations. He competes in the S15 classification, which is not part of the Paralympics, making the Deaflympics the highest standard of international competition available to deaf athletes.
While hopeful for strong performances, Flook maintains a balanced perspective on his Tokyo experience. "I want to do personal best times, and it would be great to get to finals and maybe win some medals, but I just want to enjoy the moment and meet people from different countries," he said.
The young athlete flies out on Friday, carrying not just his swimming gear but the hopes of his Newcastle community and Australian deaf sports enthusiasts.
